The answer about the cost is really it depends.... Do you have a core or does DS need to source one for you. What if any head work do you want done. How wild do you want to go. DS engines can cost a wide range of prices....

I would check out his website

Datsun Spirit, Inc.

He has ranges of what his engine packages cost.

Finally got it on the road this weekend. A few rattles and other noises I'll need to sort out, but the major bits are good. Some additional tuning is needed, in addition to getting that damn tach figured out. Might need to roadtrip down to Tidewater Z.

Also, I'm suprised that the brakes weren't all that impressive. Or, impressive at all. Lumpy cam, vacuum being drawn from three carbs... would those combine to make my brakes less, say... grabby? I've got the stock 240z booster, a 280zx MC, 4-Pot Calipers up front, and the stock drums in the rear. What do I need to tweak to make this puppy actually grab. I saw a thread on here about this before. Time to go digging.

Stopped at London Auto up the road on the drive. That track-prepped Fiat in back looked pretty mean.

Got the alignment done. I failed to tighten one of the bolts on the TC arm at the wheel, so after they did the alignment... they had to do it again. They were at least nice enough to hand me a wrench and let me fix my own mistake, rather than giving me the boot - or worse - not telling me, and letting me suffer the consequences.

Curry's Automotive in Falls Church. Great group of guys there.

Got a good amount of driving in this weekend. Did the Great Falls Cars & Coffee on Saturday with Jason, who brought up his '75 as well. That thing will be an absolute monster when he's finished, and will no doubt blow this thing out of the water. Had some nice crowds the whole morning, but only due to the Shelby clone parked next to me. Hey - I'll take what I can get.

Finally logged some miles with Todd's custom shift lever as well. It feels incredibly natural, and the motion is great. It's low slung and easy to get used to. I'm half-tempted to order a few more just in case - well, who knows?

Lastly, Jason did some tuning/timing after Cars & Coffee. We don't have a flow/sync meter, so he is, once again, doing this by ear and feel. He's a fantastically talented mechanic. His alignment, with 2 boards and a measuring tape, was only a hair off what the shop was able to do. After his tuning, I fired the car up Monday night around 8pm and took to the backroads of McLean via 495, and ended up on the GW Parkway. An hour later I rumbled home after one of the best drives of my life. There's still some work to do, but everything seems to really be coming together. The car pulls hard, even in 5th. I'm through with 1st gear before I clear an intersection, but there's enough life in 2nd-4th to keep it all together. And the tires - holy mother of pearl - they grab the road like nothing else. My neck will give out before they do.

Speaking of which, it's time to fix the driver's seat. Or replace it. The seat sags, and there's a small tear in the vinyl. It wouldn't hurt to sit up a little higher.

It's a mean sight in the rear view (as seen from the '75), and here's Jason doing some builder's trials

Edited July 16, 201311 yr by ksbeta

You need a new inspection sticker......:bulb:

You have a keen eye, and there's a story there.

Halfway home from Cars & Coffee, Jason says "lets switch cars." Sure. Why not.

With Jason driving my white car in front, we roll into the City of Falls Church, and sure enough, a motorcycle cop flips his lights on. I figured I'd rolled through a yellow or something. I turned into the first parking lot, Jason takes his next left. He gets in enough time to yell "the registration!" before the cop orders him to get back into his car.

I got a ticket for expired registration & inspection in Jason's 75, while Jason cruised home in my 71, which happened to be missing it's front plate and probably violated every noise statute the City of Falls Church has on the books.

Bill - Still kicking myself for not dragging my butt out of bed on Saturday morning. Great to hear your car is working so well. I have a Uni-Syn if you want to borrow it. I'm looking forward to going for a drive with you and Jason at some point.

Thanks Sean. I'd be grateful to use the sync meter. Chance of rain Sat. kept some of the exotics away; we'll catch a better show with you soon.

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Looks like great times KS, minus the ticket of course. I am sure your wallet is a little drained after the engine project but the cure for your sagging seats is new foam and covers. Believe me, you will not be sorry! Give Les at Classic Datsun a call and order up a set of his seat foams and covers. A few hours of your time will go a long way and make driving your Z even more enjoyable. I recently recovered my passenger seat to match the driver seat I did a year ago. Now both seats match, both are super firm and comfy, and really help give the interior of my rough '72 some new life. Check out my threads below for some tips.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/interior-s30/47221-diy-how-recover-your-z-seats-lots-pictures.html

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-zcar-discussion/47863-lime-green-machine-restoration-thread-1972-240z-6.html

Another option is a seat swap. I'd considered redoing my seats, but as I'm not overly concerned about keeping my Z original, I settled on a Honda S2000 leather seat swap instead. I'm extremely happy with the results.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/interior-s30/48744-s2000-seat-swap-240z.html

Looking good! What size are your front tires, and do they rub the valence?